This is the second article on how to learn kanji as efficiently as possible. This time, we’ll also use “imagination” by considering the situations and meanings where kanji is used, and think about related words to expand learning. As you learn more kanji you can recognize and use, your confidence and motivation for your work will grow.
Contents:
④ When and where do you use it? Study by imagining
Studying by imagining the situations where kanji is used makes it easier to remember and helps you use it in real-life situations.
“食” → Eat, food → Meal, cafeteria, breakfast, appetite, restricted diet
- Assist with meals in the cafeteria.
- Today’s breakfast is bread and soup.
- Mr. Suzuki is eating a restricted diet.
“洗” → Wash → Laundry, washbasin, detergent
- Fold the laundry.
- Brush teeth at the washbasin.
- Add detergent to the washing machine and wash.
⑤ Think about kanji by its radicals
You can remember related words by considering kanji radicals.
“さんずい” → Water-related kanji → Pond, sea, wash, wave, tears
“やまいだれ” → Illness-related kanji → Illness, hospital, headache, symptoms, colorectal cancer, treatment, rash
“にくづき” → Body-related kanji → Belly, chest, waist, lungs, stomach, bones, brain, skin
⑥ Expand your vocabulary using kanji
Expand your imagination to come up with related words. For example, what words come to mind from this kanji?
“急”: Meaning? … Rush
→ Words using this kanji? … Sudden illness, ambulance
→ Where do sudden illness and ambulances go? … Hospital
→ Who is at the hospital? … Doctor, nurse, patient, etc.
“病”: Meaning? … Illness
→ Words using this kanji? … Illness, patient
→ What are the names of illnesses? … (Think of clients and try to remember)
It’s also recommended to learn kanji in a quiz format with coworkers or facility users. Learning with others is more fun and effective than studying alone. Work together to think of ways to make it something you can continue every day.
*Recommended Text
『Caregiver Words and Kanji Handbook』 Available in English, Indonesian, Vietnamese, and Spanish versions
By the International Exchange & Japanese Language Support Organization Y, ¥2,860 (tax included)
https://shop.jicwels.jp/view/item/000000000009?category_page_id=words_and_kanji
This book is aimed at foreign caregivers who have learned 300 basic kanji. It introduces kanji and vocabulary specific to caregiving and can be used as a dictionary. There are also workbooks and drills available.
* 300 basic kanji are required to pass JLPT N4 level.
